Kumasi (Ashanti), 22nd March '99 -

Otumfuo Opoku Ware the second, the Asantehene, was laid in state at midnight at the executive lounge of the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi. The 80-year-old Asantehene died on Thursday, February 25, after occupying the Golden Stool for 29 years. The laying in state was heralded by dirges, drumming by traditional groups amidst the booming of guns and the blowing of "mmenson". The Anglican Church and various religious organisations in Kumasi held a short service. People from all walks of life are on the grounds of Manhyia Palace paying their last respect to the 15th occupant of the Golden Stool and the 18th King of the Asantes. As early as 5 a.m., long retinue of chiefs with their multi- coloured umbrellas and stool paraphernalia, streamed to the palace accompanied by drummers and weird-looking "Abrafo" (executioners) who clattered and brandished their traditional executioners sword. The police have closed all access roads to the palace and have taken positions at vantage points allowing only vehicles with special car stickers entry to the palace. Two billboards --one by the State Transport Company (STC) with the inscription "Otumfuo Opoku Ware Da Yie" and the other, by the Ghana Breweries Limited, bore the inscription "Asanteman Damirifa Due Ne Amane hunu" -- have been erected at the palace entrance. A life-size portrait of the Asantehene has also been erected at the funeral grounds. Banners, all with the same message, "Damirifa Due" have been mounted in all parts of Kumasi by companies, organisations and individuals. A police armoured vehicle mounted by six armed policemen and a police riot control vehicle have been positioned at the palace to beef up security. Meanwhile, all shops and stalls have been closed with the streets of the commercial areas, deserted. Although no official holiday has been declared, all schools are empty, compelling the authorities to issue a statement that the period of mourning of the Asantehene should be considered as working days. President Jerry John Rawlings has led a government delegation to pay their respect to the Asantehene. President Rawlings dressed in a black Sheda "agbada", was led by Okyeame Boakye Yam, Asantehene's linguist. He was met by Nana Akwasi Agyemang, Metropolitan Chief Executive and a royal of Asanteman, at the entrance of the executive lounge and led into the palace to pay his last respect. The President was accompanied by his wife Nana Konadu, ministers, members of the Council of State, service commanders, executive members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other dignitaries. Traditional horn blowers heralded the President's arrival to the Manhyia Palace with the blowing of "mmenson" (horns). He exchanged greetings with the Asantehemaa, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem, and paramount chiefs of Asante. President Rawlings and his entourage then sat on a dais erected at the funeral grounds in front of the Manhyia Palace. The umbrellas of the paramount chiefs, in various colours, formed a canopy, which was a delight to watch. Chiefs and their subjects clad in mourning clothes sat below the dais. Baffour Kwaku Amoateng the third, Jachiehene and linguist to the late Asantehene, led Baffour Awuah the fifth, Bantamahene, on behalf of the Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) to return greetings of President Rawlings and his entourage. Nana Osei Bonsu the second, Mamponghene and Nwisiahene (chief of orphans), did the same thing on behalf of Asanteman. Daasebre Dr Oti Boateng, New Juabenhene, and Nana Otuo Serebour the second, Juabenhene, also returned greetings of the delegation to the Asanteman stool elders. Baffour Amoateng, on behalf of the royal family and Asanteman, presented two cartons of Schnapps and two bottles each of dry gin and whisky as customary drinks to welcome the delegation to the funeral. Nana Kwame Akuoko-Sarpong, Agogohene and Presidential Staffer on Chieftaincy Affairs, on behalf of the delegation, accepted the drinks and thanked them. On behalf of the government delegation, Nana Akuoko-Sarpong presented 10 cartons each of beer and Guinness stout, 10 crates of soft drinks and two bottles each of dry gin and whisky, in addition to two cartons of Schnapps.